THE BLACKBIRD

LYRICS

I once knew a maiden whose fortune was so,
She courted a sailor, a young sailor boy:
She courted him dearly by night and by day
Until this young sailor he sailed miles away.

Then if I were a blackbird I’d whistle and sing,
I would follow the ship that my true love sailed in,
And on the top rigging I’d there build my nest
Like an eagle I’d fly to his lily white breast

My true love is handsome in every degree,
My parents despise him because he loves me;
But let them despise them or say what they will,
While there’s life in my bosom I’ll love the lad still.

Then if I were a blackbird I’d whistle and sing,
I would follow the ship that my true love sailed in,
And on the top rigging I’d there build my nest
I would pillow my head on his lily white breast.

If I was a scholar, could handle a pen,
A letter of love to my sailor I’d send,
I would tell him my sorrows, my griefs and my woes,
If I could but find him I would crown him with gold.